CAPE TOWN - South Africa is among the top 20 countries with a high presence of women both ministers and parliamentarians, according to the World Economic Forum’s 2021 Global Gender Gap Report.
With women occupying 15 of the 28 ministerial posts, the report ranks South Africa 10th in the percentage of women in parliament and 12th in the percentage of women in ministerial positions.
Among the best performers in the gender gap in Political Empowerment are Rwanda (6th), which has closed 56.3% of its Political Empowerment gap, Mozambique (13th, 49.3%) and Namibia (19th, 46.3%).
However, globally women hold only 26.1% of parliamentary seats and 22.6% of ministerial positions and this political gender gap is expected to take more than 145 years to close if it remains on its current trajectory, compared to 95 years in the 2020 edition of the report.
According to international organisation, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) stronger equity in governments has been recognized as essential for any thriving democracy.
“Gender diversity in public institutions is particularly crucial, given that these decision-making bodies create the rules that affect people’s rights, behaviours and life choices," states the organisation.
Here is a full list of women ministers in SA:
- Minister of Basic Education: Angie Motshekga.
- Minister of Communications: Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
- Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta): Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
- Minister of Defence and Military Veterans: Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
- Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Barbara Creecy.
- Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation: Lindiwe Sisulu.
- Minister of International Relations and Cooperation: Naledi Pandor.
- Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities: Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
- The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure: Patricia de Lille.
- Minister of Small Business Development: Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
- Minister of Social Development: Lindiwe Zulu.
- Minister of State Security: Ayanda Dlodlo.
- Minister of Tourism: Nkhensani Kubayi-Ngubane.
